About Us

Our history

Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service (SCRAPS) was first conceived as the Spokane County Dog Control back in 1923 when records show the first dog licenses being sold. During this early history of SCRAPS our job consisted of answering complaints by residents about dogs running at large. We didn’t have animal protection officers; we had “dog catchers.” We didn’t have a shelter; we had a “pound” for impounded dogs. Our pound was small, and from the start, over-crowded.

We have come a long way since those early days of “dog catchers” and a dark “pound.” The SCRAPS shelter was built in 1976 and remodeled to its current size in 1996. Today we have animal protection officers who bring stray and unwanted companion animals to our shelter. We actively seek out new homes for the strays and unwanted pets. We temperament test our dogs needing new homes, to help place them in more appropriate homes. We participate in cutting edge behavioral enrichment research, leading to the breakthrough discovery of calming our stressed residents with a “Laughing Dog” recording.

While our mandate by law and ordinances still emphasizes protecting public safety and preventing animal cruelty, we strive to end euthanasia of adoptable pets. We have seen an improvement in the euthanasia rate of cats. We believe this is because of our concerted effort to educate the public about the benefits of early spaying and neutering, offering discount vouchers for spaying and neutering licensed pets, and our behavior program. Today SCRAPS provides humane education to local schools and groups, public outreach through behavior seminars by experts in the field, adoption events, training classes for new adopters, private dog training sessions (for more difficult problems), and pet food assistance for families in need.

SCRAPS currently handles approximately 7,000 animals a year. SCRAPS is looking at a bright future and anticipates expanding to allow for providing the City of Spokane with animal protection services.